to be completely terrified?

[GoldenR]

Hi MN. I need your help.

Went for a very precautionary scan at 36+4. I've been admitted and wasn't expecting to be. It's a shock. They are talking about induction but said I might not be ready at 36+4. Desperate for an induction and not a c section. I know nothing about these and haven't had a birth class yet.

Had a cry about not having my water birth. Slowly letting go of the idea.

Hospital bag isn't here/ready. Mum and Dad are away.

Anyone have a successful induction at 36 weeks? Can I refuse a c section if baby looks okay?

I've been admitted due to blood flow being poor from the placenta.

Feeling a bit scared and lost and totally unprepared. I'm not ready for baby yet.

Hi OP,

I know you have an idea in mind of how you wanted your birth to go, wanted it to be a natural water birth etc. but if there is a complication with your placenta than the number 1 priority right now is the safety of your baby. I would ask the doctors what the safest way to deliver your baby is and go for that. Your birth experience can only be a good one if it ends with a healthy baby and a healthy mum. I personally wouldn't take any risks, the outcome is far more important than the process.

Best of luck.

I was induced at 35+6 with twins and had them the day after so bang on 36 weeks. They were and are fine. I was induced because of pre-eclampsia but I had a high risk pregnancy as well so pretty fraught all along.

I get you’re upset, but please try and be kind to yourself. 37 weeks is just round the corner and that’s considered full term. The birth is just the beginning of your wonderful life with your baby, don’t get hung up on it.

Good luck OP

DS was born by emergency c section at 36 weeks. I was very nervous but it was all absolutely fine. The staff were all wonderful and great at helping me to relax.

36+4 actually isn't that bad as far as the baby goes.

In my area, a baby born at that stage wouldn't be admitted to NICU unless there was a problem. Now, they would monitor the baby more carefully and the baby would need a car seat study (put the baby in a car seat and on a monitor for 2 hours to make sure baby maintains oxygen levels) but most of them pass the study without problems.

Going nuts on this ward. Visiting hour and feel like I'm surrounded by 20 screaming children. I can hear the midwife getting annoyed and asking why the doctor hasn't been to see me yet. At least she's on the case. Hope they don't take my bp anytime soon!

I mean this in the nicest way possible. All 'the birth' is, is your baby's entrance into the world. You may have all sort of ideas and plans, and it's great if that all goes as planned, however the most important thing is that you are ok and the baby arrives safely - that may mean c-section. The hospital know what they're doing, they deliver hundreds of babies, they will be wanting to do what's best for you both.
My birth wasn't what I planned, and I had to have an emergency c-section which was all a bit scary, but I have a healthy 13 year old no
w and I went on to have another baby (took a bit of convincing though!).

What matters is the safe arrival of your baby and that you are okay. I've had three births and none went according to plan. Thankfully the dc and I are mainly okay. That's what matters. Not what happened the day they were born.

I know you are scared but you need to stay calm, rest as much as possible and stop worrying about things you can't change. You need all your energy for what is to come.

@GoldenR yes the induction was fine. First thing in the morning I was given hormone pessaries and told to go for a long walk around the hospital.... three hours later I had a slight backache but nothing else. At 5pm still nothing so they took me onto the labour ward and broke my waters with a hooky thing, honestly I felt nothing. Contractions started pretty much straight away though and the only slightly freaky bit was how quickly it all happened. DD was born 90 minutes later - it was so quick and easy I had enough energy to put my face on for the photos

Sending you 🌷
My twins were induced at 36+3, born the next day and were fine.
They had steroids at 34w (repeated reduced fetal movements) didn’t need any support with breathing.
Had issues with jaundice and low blood sugars, probably down to my milk supply not coming in for a while, but all fine and absolutely fine now.
Hope all goes ok xx

Oh I'm sorry OP this must be very stressful for you. Especially being on your own.

Please don't refuse the section if the doctors are recommending it. They are doing so as it is safest option for you and your baby. They wouldn't be going to such measures otherwise. It's not ideal but it's honestly the safest thing right now if that's what they are saying.

Good luck

No one is ever ready for a baby, so,don't worry about that!

I had an induction at 36 weeks for DC2. It was low to get started (2 days or so of trudging corridors and bouncing on balls waiting to be far on enough for waters to be broken). After waters were broken I had a straightforward, quick labour on gas and air. DD2 had a little jaundice and needed the lamp but was otherwise fine, and didn't need special care.

Obviously it was a second labour, so that might have helped, but wanted you to know it doesn't have to be a disaster!

Not seeing consultant until the morning now. Had steroid injections and said they will assess tomorrow. Said first time mums aren't always favourable choice for induction. Especially not at 36+4(5 tomorrow).

Dear god steroid injections are not nice!

Good luck and best wishes!

Oh goodness I vividly remember going to a routine antenatal appointment on the day of my nieces birthday party. My BP was high and they wouldn't let me go home. I remember my pleas to go to my nieces party fell on very deaf ears! I was devastated at the time but it was all worth it.

(Wince) I remember those steroids.. mine were in my arm and the second midwife was surprised that the first had put them in there?! She then did it to keep consistent 😂

@ellesbellesxxx right in the butt!

They've monitored the baby. Movements are fine. Heart rate fine. Everything looks fine and baby is normal size. I'm so hoping they can keep him/her cooking a bit longer...

So, i’ve had natural birth and c-sections x2. None were exactly as expected and all were great/not great in their own way. 3 births in and I still didn’t get my home/water birth..... BUT, I have 3 beautiful healthy children and I am around to look after them and THAT is what is important.

Sending gentle hugs. Hope you manage some sleep tonight. X

I would strongly recommend that you do whatever the doctors think best - whether that be induction or c section. You will realise very quickly when your baby is in your arms that it does not make a jot of difference HOW they arrive, as long as it’s safely. That’s all that matters. It’s very easy to get hung up on a specific type of birth but in reality they will suggest the best for the baby and they know better than you in that regard, so put yourself in their hands and relax as much as you can. It will all be alright - a friend of mine had her baby at 36 weeks and she is a beautiful and healthy little girl! 37 weeks is term and you are nearly there. Xx

Hello my lovely. Sending

I had an emcs with my twins at 35+1 - popped in for a check up as I wasn’t feeling well. Twin 2 wasn’t moving. I was in the theatre less than two hours later having them whipped out.

Twin 2 had a lot of issues that weren’t picked up on beforehand. But he’s here and he’s doing well (they’ve just turned 2).

Don’t be afraid of a section if you need it. Assuming you’re in the U.K., they will not suggest it unless they really think it’s the safest thing for you. Personally I would choose a planned section over an induction, but everyone is different. I’ve had several surgeries in my life so they don’t scare me. I was terrified of the spinal and the reality was worse for me than expected as they struggled to place it. But I got through that bit and then it was plain sailing. Within a week I forgot I’d even had an operation.

Hang in there. Is there someone that can bring stuff for you? My bags were in the car when I had my section and the hospital were great - the only thing I needed that night was shower gel for a wash and some hair bands 😂

Oh love it sounds so stressful

Please trust the Drs (when you see them of course) - they won’t put you through a section unless they think it’s necessary. I know it’s scary but I promise they won’t even suggest it unless they have to

No disrespect and mean this in the nicest possible way but you need to think about your baby and the safest way for them to be delivered.
I have had two c sections. One emergency one elective. I honestly didn't give a shiny shite about the method so long as my babies were delivered safe and well.

I really think you need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. The placenta is a vital element of pregnancy. If it isn't functioning properly then your focus needs to be your baby not about you not being ready or whether it's not the birth that you wanted.

Very best of luck but please work with the professionals and take their advice on this.

I was in your position oP. Scan at 34 weeks showed reduced growth and possibility placenta wasn’t doing well. Went back a week later (35 weeks) and fluid was really low- suggesting deterioration of placenta. Was told to go home and get my bag. I didn’t make my own leaving lunch at work which was the next day.

Given steroids immediately and another set 12 hours later. Baby was delivered by planned section 2 days later. He was only 4 lb 2 oz. The section was totally fine and much calmer than previous birth of first child.

He was in scbu for 2 weeks but that was largely to do with his small size.

I, like you wanted a water birth but I quickly got over that and to this day I’m just grateful that the issue with the placenta was picked up. Who knows what would have happened if he’s been left in there for another 5 weeks.

Oh I remember the steroid injections. As you have found out, not nice.

Apparently they are a fairly thick and gooey substance that has to be worked into a muscle. That is what I was told when I whinged about it, and why it is so painful. You have my sympathy there.

I’m sorry you’re going through this but honestly at 36+ weeks your baby will be fine . A c section will only be offered if it’s a necessity and regardless of your thoughts on the perfect birth , a living baby is the desirable outcome . How he or she arrives is completely secondary .

My waters broke at 23 weeks anddd was born at 23+5 . Her birth was so far removed from what I had imagined that I’m astounded that I actually coped at all .

You will be fine and so will your little one . I hope it all goes well for you both .